Emma Pritchard|

Brilliant Wests Tigers fullback and Clarence Valley prodigy Daine Laurie tragically suffered a season ending injury during his club’s Round 20 clash against the New Zealand Warriors.

Laurie was smashed and twisted to the turf at Suncorp Stadium in a three-man tackle by Ben Murdoch-Masila, Taniela Otukolo and Eliesa Katoa.

Caught in an awkward position, Laurie’s right leg was dragged underneath him at an angle as he was brought down, grimacing in pain.

The sickening injury occurred less than 60 seconds after kick off.

The Wests Tigers later issued a statement, revealing their star playmaker had broken his right fibula and will undergo a specialist review to determine the next course of action.

One of the most talented players to pull on the Wests Tigers jersey this year, Laurie has quickly become a fan favourite and has been one of the standout performers in 2021.

The 22-year-old was also touted as a contender for the 2021 Dally M Rookie of the Year after asserting himself as one of the most promising footballers in the NRL.

With a running average of 134m per game, Laurie has scored 7 tries for the Wests Tigers this season and brought a sharp attacking flair to a team struggling for consistency.

After leading 10-0 at half time, the Wests Tigers capitulated badly in the second half against the New Zealand Warriors with a poor defensive structure and mistimed kicking options letting them down yet again.

Trailing by two points inside the final ten minutes, halfback Luke Brooks snaffled the ball off a Peta Hiku kick and raced 90m to score and give his team back the lead, only to be denied when officials deemed him to have knocked the ball on at the other end of the field.

The New Zealand Warriors held on to win 18-16.

On the back of another dire performance and with their regular number one on the sidelines for the remainder of the season, the Wests Tigers finals hopes continue to fade.